Evaluation of methods of analysis for determining low levels of alcohol in beverages

Cel

The project had two specific objectives. these were:
1) To develop and certify a range of matrix reference materials containing levels of alcohol at or near the legislative limits of 0.5% by volume and 0.05% by volume;
2) To develop and validate a method of analysis for the determination of low levels of alcohol in beverages for potential adoption by CEN as an Official method.
Three Reference Materials have been certified. A candidate official method has been written and has been presented to CEN-Star for adoption as an Official CEN Method.
The benefits of this work will be to provide a measurement benchmark for laboratories carrying out determinations of low levels of alcohol in beverages, whether by using a reference method or calibrating an in-house method using a Certified Reference Material. This will enable EU food labelling legislation for these products to be enforced with greater confidence
There have been a number of technical problems with the determination of low levels of alcohol (i.e. <1% alcohol by volume) in low-alcohol and no-alcohol beverages. Methods of analysis used for beverages with higher levels of alcohol are not appropriate, and there has been little or no agreement between different methods used. This has led to disputes between EU members states. No standard validated methods of analysis for the determination of low levels of alcohol in beverages were available, and no Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) with an appropriate matrix, and the required concentration of alcohol were available either.

Work Programme
To meet these objectives, for candidate reference materials (a beer and a wine both containing approximately 0.05% alcohol by volume, and a beer and a wine both containing approximately 0.5% alcohol by volume) were prepared and subjected to homogeneity and stability testing. Following this, three of the materials (the fourth being unstable) were certified by collaborative testing by all project partners. In parallel to this, a number of methods of analyses were investigated and collaboratively tested on commercial low-alcohol drinks. An agreed method, using gas chromatography, was developed and collaboratively tested, using commercial low-alcohol and no-alcohol beers and wines, by all partners. The performance characteristics of the method were calculated and the method drafted in ISO format.

Dziedzina nauki

Program(-y)

FP3-MAT - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of measurements and testing, 1990-1994

Temat(-y)

Data not available

Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

Data not available

System finansowania

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Koordynator

LGC LIMITED

Wkład UE

Brak danych

Adres

QUEENS ROAD
TW11 0LY TEDDINGTON
Zjednoczone Królestwo

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